VETERANS & FEDERAL WORKERS

Veterans and federal workers face specific challenges.

Military service and many federal jobs expose individuals to a variety of unique stressors. I provide psychodynamic support to veterans and government officials, including federal workers transitioning out of government service.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Many veterans exposed to explosive blasts and traumatic events can experience symptoms consistent with co-occurring PTSD and TBI, which can have a significant impact on daily life. It is common to experience irritability, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms impacting wellbeing.

Relationship Challenges

Many veterans experience relationship challenges associated with military experience. Stress, mental health concerns, and difficulties transitioning to civilian life can strain important relationships. Individuals with security clearances can find it difficult to relate with loved ones and friends.

Substance Use

Deeply personal and emotional experiences can drive people toward more substance use than they would like. Substance use is not just about chemical dependency but also about the human desire for comfort, connection, and relief.

Transitioning to Civilian Life

Many service members report difficulty transitioning to civilian life. Some feel a loss of camaraderie or purpose after leaving the armed forces. It can be difficult to relate to people who did not experience military service - or who don’t know what they don’t know. Many service members adjusting to civilian life experience anxiety, depression, and other physical and mental health challenges.

New Work Environments

Many former service members and government employees experience challenges transitioning to new work environments. Changes in work culture can be hard to navigate. Some find it difficult to experience a sense of purpose.

Publicity Concerns

Individuals who have worked in proximity to major events can experience specific stressors related to public scrutiny. Some find it challenging to relate with friends and loved ones. Others find it difficult to transition to private sector roles. These challenges can cause anxiety, depression, and other symptoms.

Identity Shifts

Transitioning out of the military and federal workforce can be a major life change that causes anxiety, depression, and other difficult feelings. It is common for individuals living government service to experience an altered sense of identity that challenges how they see themselves.

Lack of Sleep

Traumatic experiences, stress, and other concerns can impact sleep patterns for many former service members and federal employees. Sleep difficulties are often associated with depression, anxiety, and other challenges, and can have a significant impact on relationships and well-being.

Political Developments

Political developments in the U.S. and abroad can have a direct impact on the wellbeing of former service members and federal personnel. Difficult political dynamics are often a major stressor for people in military and government service.

My Approach

My approach is rooted in the belief that humans are naturally oriented toward their own healing, and sometimes need someone to listen and support their journey in life.

Young adulthood is often a period when people have difficult experiences that can change the way they feel about themselves and the people around them. Young adulthood is also when people start to build their own lives; experience love or a deep desire for relationships; and explore different parts of themselves. I value transparency, humor and unconditional goodwill in therapeutic relationships, and operate from the belief that we can find deep meaning in life.

I most often use a psychodynamic approach. This evidence-based therapeutic approach helps client’s develop insight into conscious and unconscious thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influenced by life experiences, and create room for growth and change. I use the liberation health model to support clients with liberating themselves from internal and external stressors, including those influenced by their sociocultural context. I also emphasize

mindful self-compassion in therapy – supporting people with loving and accepting the different parts of the themselves.

I also intertwine a humanistic perspective into therapy – an approach that values human dignity and well-being; respects clients’ self-knowledge; and honors the human instinct toward fulfillment and self-actualization.

  • Psychodynamic therapy is an evidence-based therapy that focuses on understanding the conscious and unconscious factors impacting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This therapeutic method relies on the interpersonal relationship between the therapist and client. Individuals who have the capacity to be self-reflective and are looking to obtain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behavior are best suited to this type of therapy. Psychodynamic practice can be applied to individuals, groups, and family units.

  • Unfortunately, many people have experienced traumatic events that impact their wellbeing. Trauma-informed care recognizes the impact of trauma on clients’ lives and seeks to create safe and supportive environments for healing and recovery. My approach to trauma-informed care includes collaborating with clients, offering different options for treatment, and avoiding practices and policies that might activate feelings associated with traumatic experiences.

  • The Liberation Health model is a theory of human behavior that conceptualizes the challenges facing individuals and families within the context of economic, political, cultural, and historical conditions. This method of practice helps clients understand the personal, cultural, and institutional factors that contribute to their challenges and act to change these conditions.

  • Mindfulness and meditation practices can help clients become more aware of unconscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, in turn leading to better stress management and emotional well-being. Self-care includes any behavior that supports an individual’s mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. I support clients interested in developing or deepening a mindfulness practice and strengthening self-care strategies.

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Services

Individual Psychotherapy

$150

Sessions are 1 hour. In-person and virtual options are available. All are welcome.

Couples Therapy

$225

Sessions are 75 minutes. In-person and virtual options are available. Any relationship configuration is welcome.

Group Psychotherapy

$40

I facilitate in-person therapy groups for members to support each other and learn more about themselves. Learn more here.

Coming Soon

Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy

In November 2022, voters in Colorado passed Proposition 122, the Natural Medicine Health Act, which legalized use of several psychedelic natural medicines, including psilocybin mushrooms.

The Natural Medicine Health Act allows for the personal possession, growth, uncompensated sharing, and ingestion of these natural medicines. The law does not allow the sale of psilocybin mushrooms or any other natural medicines, nor use by individuals under age 21.

Under Colorado law, I will be able to offer legal, licensed support to individuals and groups engaged in the use of psilocybin.

This support includes bona fide harm reduction and psychedelic preparation and integration coaching.

Former service members, law enforcement officers, and first responders often experience traumatic events as part of their work and are more likely to have mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

Though further research is needed, psiloycbin-assisted therapy has emerged as a promising avenue to alleviate these mental health challenges.

Former service members, law enforcement officers, and first responders can join my interest list for psilocybin-assisted therapy below. I’ll reach out as soon as I’m licensed to legally provide this treatment.